The Supreme Court of India has taken decisive action to address the pervasive issue of "period shaming" and ensure the health, dignity, and privacy of women and girls during menstruation. The court has decided to frame guidelines to prevent violations of these fundamental rights in workplaces and educational institutions. This decision follows a disturbing incident at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Haryana, where three sanitation workers were allegedly forced to provide photographic proof of their menstruation to their supervisors.
A bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan acknowledged a petition filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), expressing concern over the "period-shaming" incidents. The SCBA petition highlighted numerous instances of such violations and urged the court to intervene by establishing enforceable guidelines across India. The aim is to foster dignity and workplace inclusivity, upholding women's right to health. The Court issued notices to the central government and relevant ministries, seeking their response to the petition. The matter is scheduled for a hearing on December 15.
The Rohtak incident, which triggered the SCBA petition, involved supervisors allegedly demanding photographic proof from the sanitation workers by asking them to send photos of their sanitary pads. The workers were called in on a Sunday due to a visit from the Haryana Governor and were allegedly "verbally abused, humiliated, and pressured". The university has reportedly suspended the two supervisors involved and initiated an internal inquiry. The Haryana State Commission for Women (HSCW) has also taken cognizance of the matter.
The SCBA argued that such incidents violate Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, dignity, privacy, and bodily integrity. The petition cited similar instances of "period-shaming" and invasive checks in schools and workplaces, including a 2017 case where 70 girls in Uttar Pradesh were allegedly stripped naked to check for menstrual blood and a 2020 incident in Gujarat where 68 college students were asked to remove their underwear for inspection.
The SCBA emphasized that women workers, particularly those in unorganized sectors like sanitation and manual labor, are entitled to decent working conditions that respect their biological differences. They should receive adequate concessions and not be subjected to humiliating checks when experiencing menstruation-related pain or discomfort. The petition seeks a detailed inquiry into the Rohtak incident and requests the court to direct the central and Haryana governments to issue nationwide guidelines. These guidelines should ensure that women's rights to health, dignity, bodily autonomy, and privacy are protected in workplaces and educational institutions.
This move by the Supreme Court is a significant step towards ending menstrual shaming and ensuring a more equitable and dignified environment for women and girls in India. The court's intervention underscores the importance of addressing systemic issues that perpetuate discrimination and violate fundamental rights related to menstruation.
